Con Rod Surprise

Zowghi

Zowghi

Zowghi

Associate
Joined
11 Nov 2009
Posts
661
Location
Essex
Hi OcUK,

Now I’m no expert on the internals of motorcycle engines, but yesterday evening on my commute home, I was paid a surprise visit by what I think is/was my connecting rod. It appears to have wanted to pop through the engine casing to say hello!

NSFL Bike Gore:
HFzsoju.jpg.png
I’m obviously gutted and sad to see my first big bike go, but what do I do now?

Has anyone had to deal with anything like this before, and what’s the best way to proceed? Get someone to strip it and take a look (I imagine the internal damage is huge)? Sell it as spares? Put a new engine in it?

I have no idea of the cost, effort, or reward of any of these options so your advice would be a big help right now.

Thanks OcUK
 
Last edited:
Zowghi said:
I was paid a surprise visit by what I think is/was my connecting rod. It appears to have wanted to pop through the engine casing to say hello!
Click to expand...

sorry but I LOLed at this :D

Well, only opening the engine to see the internal damage, but probably it will be cheaper to get a "new" engine than rebuilt it.
 
Yeah you'll be looking at piston, con rod, and probably crank damage. Maybe barrel damage too, and it might have taken out a valve or two with it....
 
My old CB400N I had when I was 18 did the same as this. Con rod exited the engine via the top of the crank-case.
Upon stripping it I discovered that it had bounced around in the engine a fair bit before exiting. It would have needed new barrels, pistons, crank, rods, gearbox main-shaft, and main crank-case.

Write the engine off and get another.
 
its a real shame

hope you get it sorted out,id give local kawasaki dealer/or shop you bought it from up and complain aswell tbf

how many miles on it?
 
If it is the ER6F that is very early engine failure!

Just get shopping for a new engine, I wouldn't bother attempting to repair.
 
Main biggie that'll have gone there would be the crankcases, as well as possible crank damage if original cause was the big end failing plus the various other bits and pieces the rod will have taken nibbles out of during it's escape attempt.

By the time you've had the engine stripped, cost of all the parts that need replacing and repair to crankcases (if even possible) or new cases and the rebuild, labour costs etc. I'd definitely say a replacement engine is the way to go.
 
tl45 said:
repair to crankcases (if even possible)
Click to expand...

You can repair crankcases even when a rod's popped out to say hello, but usually in situations like the ops, case damage is the least of the problems to have to deal with, ide be scouring the breakers/ebay for a replacement motor if the bikes not under any kind of warranty.
 
from his how many miles thread he's done 14k (might be more if bought used,didnt think of that)

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18697700

either that or low oil caused it idk,think Kawasaki offer 2 year unlimited mileage warranty but not sure on that model

they replaced my camchain tensioner free out of warranty but a whole engine is a different story

EDIT: even so a 2012 year machine shouldn't do that no matter what mileage its done (reminds me of alien where its busts out of john hurts chest)
 
Last edited:
Thanks for your advice up to now, it’s actually made me feel a lot better (even knowing someone got a giggle out of it!)

It is my 2012 Kawasaki ER6f, and has done a little over 20,000 miles. It was registered in the first half of 2012 so it’s about 3.5 years old. I think it was a demo bike, and then belonged to the woman I bought it off. I’ve not yet been home to have a look through the paperwork, but there’s an outside chance it could have the extended warranty (If the dealer offered it when selling it as a demo, she bought it, and I just happen to have not noticed the paperwork in the folder…. But a man can hope!)

It had an oil & filter change less than 1,000 miles back and the level was in the centre of the window. While I’ve had it, it’s had a pretty easy life, I don’t let it rev (usually changing up at 6-7,000) as it spends its days going in and out of Central London.

When It gave way I was doing about 60 and it just lost power, some smoke as the oil hit the down pipes, but all rather undramatic I’m afraid.

Thanks for the link wazza, looking through the sold items; the average price seems to be between £650-850 which does seem quite reasonable. Then there’s labour and what it would be worth post-engine swap to consider.

A quick search seems to show that the engine numbers can be swapped on the V5C, but I don’t know how people would react to a swapped engine. Would it devalue the bike? Or be a nice little selling point that the engine has fewer miles on it?

I'll report back after looking through the paperwork tonight, I'll call some breakers and see if I can get in touch with Kawasaki. Thanks again!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom